#2

"So... what is my beautiful sister making!" Came a male voice from behind Zahra,
a figure leaning on the door frame his hands crossed around his chest his sleeves neatly folded as he was just from office

"Your favorite Aasif bhai!" She smiled
"uffhhhh!" he placed his hand over his chest dramatically "One more sister like you.... And I die of happiness!"
"Go take a shower first..... change then your food will be ready!"
snapping his fingers excitedly "As you wish... My Queen!" he then dispatched to his room

Then came someone else in the kitchen
"Mmh.... As usual with your vegetarian meals huh!" She took an apple from the fridge before rolling her long wavy hair on Zahra mockingly
Zahra smiled on pretense ignoring her mockery gestures "Do you want to have some!"
"Who would want to have such food everyday?...." She paused "Anaya!... Seema" calling out loud
"they aren't here!.... I will be the one cooking today!" she responded intentionally calmly
"Mmh.... Then make me, mom and brother Aasif some chicken biryani!" She ordered
"Aasif.... His meal is ready!" she paused "He will be having this one!"

The girl rolled her eyes, a small trace of furry visible on her face before she waved it away "Whatever.... Just cook what I told you to!"
"It may delay .....!"

She rolled her eyes sneering almost angry "Don't tell me your rubbish here... just do as I say... I didn't tell you to cook, you wanted so do it correctly ...on time!" she spatted angrily
"I will try!" trying hard to sound normal ignoring her nerves that keeps telling her to yell back or smash the hell out of her
"Do it..... you're in the kitchen already so do it right.... By the way this is where you deserve to be!" She added sneering like the desi aunties would always do

"She is forgetting that I'm her sister!" She whispered under her breath but unfortunately it caught her ears
"What did you say?" Questioned Alhaa taking a few steps towards Zahra

Her eyes widened she didn't know Alhaa was this close to hear her "No.... Nothing!" she stuttered almost biting her own tongue
she turned fully towards Zahra" Nothing huh?... Are you cursing me under your breath?" Her eyes darkened evilly
"It's.... It's not like that Alhaaa... I just!"
"You just what?" She pulled her hair flipping her head backward
"I talk.... You listen.... Quietly... and obey!.... Do you get that?" she commanded her grip tight on Zahra's hair
Zahra's breath hitched over the hold eyes widened "Ye.... Yes... I do!"
"Say it!" She commanded
"I.... I listen to you and obey you quietly"

"Good.... Now prepare my meal... I'm hungry and tired I want to sleep early!" With that she stormed out of the kitchen leaving Zahra in pain and tears

Soft silent sobs escaped Zahra's throat like she was making sure she doesn't make any noises, and before she could blink them away tears fell off her eyes her chest tightened she folded a fist that rested on her chest swallowing the pain, anger and terror all by herself
"Hasbiyallah waniimal wakiyl" she whispered to herself, she needed that.. so much

Hearing the approaching footsteps she collected herself wiped off her tears then went on with her issues "Ooh... beautiful sister aren't you done yet?... Let me help then!" Aasif muttered his charm filling the room again
"you took shower so faster!" muttered Zahra clearly avoiding Aasif's gaze

"Rushing to eat your tasty meal!"
she headed towards the plate shelves "It's done.... I will serve you then make aunty and Alhaa's food too!"
Aasif scanned the room as if looking for something he actually didn't find "And where is everyone?" Clearly meaning the chefs
"I wanted to cook and make your meal on my own today!... and then it happened Alhaa and aunty wanted to eat too... so yeah why not make the family meal then!" she explained herself fully confident with some little lies she added

"Okay let me help.... What are you planning to cook?" muttered Aasif folding his sleeves up
Zahra smiled staring at him with zero shock as it's a normal offer he would give "Chicken biryani!" her eyes travelled all over him again as he put on "I thought you were hungry!"

"yeah!... but cooking with my sister and that's too while making my other sister's favorite meal is way too important that my hunger so... let's do this!" he pinched her long nose lightly before heading to the water tap

Alhaa walked into the parlor she threw herself on the couch furiously ignoring her mother's presence
"Why do you look pissed?" Questioned Zurekha unsure of where the attitude came from
"That shit mom!!!..... I talk and she is talking back on me?
"She is growing horns nowadays!"
"She even cursed me under her breath.... "She playing me isn't she?" she frowned wrinkles of anger covering her face
"Let her be.... Will teach her the lesson later Aasif is here now!"

While in the kitchen Zahra made food with Aasif enjoying his charm and vibe as usual, her smile and laughter were now genuine, the peace and bliss that came along with Aasif's energy is the one she couldn't ignore even if she wanted to

--

"Here is the food my ladies enjoy yourself!" Muttered Aasif as he served the food
A smile tagged around Alhaa's face "Mmh ... my chef brother... I totally have no doubt in your cooking!"
"my pleasure your highness" He bowed his head dramatically to fit into his jokes before his hand reached for her cheeks brushing them like the little kid he felt she was

"Brother I'm not a child anymore!" she lamented childishly
"Well for your brother.... You will always be that little nosy girl!" He teased Zurekha chuckled over Aasif's joke on Alhaa
"Mom you're laughing....!" She lamented again
"Well your brother is funny enough not to ignore his joke!" Both Aasif and Zurekha giggled again
"You all are so annoying!" She hit the ground with her feet like a child

"See now.... Isn't what you're doing nosy enough?"
"Leave me!" She turned away hands crossed over her bosom
On pretense Aasif walked up to her "Okay sorry... sorry lil sis... forgive your brother!"
She tilted her shoulders on denial
"Won't you really forgive your brother despite that he made your favorite meal?"
A sweet smile tagged along "I will.... Forgive you for that only!"
"Thank you!" He smiled mischievously with a wink that followed

"Zahraaa.... The food is getting cold!" Called out Aasif
"She might be busy studying..... you know she is a schoolhalic!" Muttered alhaa sarcastically
Aasif chuckled taking it as a joke despite knowing it wasn't meant to be like that "No she said she was going to pray... but it's been long!"
A response came from the stairs "Here I am bhai"
Alhaa rolled her eyes together with Zurekha over Zahra's arrival as if she wasn;t supposed to be there at the moment
"Take your seats" muttered Aasif as he pulled chairs for his two sisters, with his mother already seated Aasif sat in between Zahra and alhaa

--
In her room seating on the bed holding a half torn picture of a beautiful girl almost her lookalike
"You were such a beauty Wallahi!" Zahra smirked her tone almost a whisper
"Wish I had a chance to see you!" Her eyes burned from the threatening chocking liquid "Not a problem... your daughter is always praying for you and I hope we reunite in Jannah!" She forced a smile under her teary eyes

A gentle knock came on her door snapping her off her beautifully painful thoughts
"Zahra.... Are you sleeping already?" Came a masculine voice from outside
She hurriedly laid her body, hiding the picture under her pillow pretending to be asleep
The door opened slowly then Aasif walked in
"Mmh... she is already asleep!" He smirks affectionately
He stood beside her bed watching her peacefully consume her sleep
"So much Ac?... Without even covering yourself?.... This girl will never grow older!" he smiled, holding the duvet and covered her gently like he was scared of hurting her

"But no problem... your elder brother will always be here to fix things.... Beautiful child!" His genuine smile covered his face "Sleep well now...!" He pecked on her hair slow enough to not wake her up, and with that he turned and dispatched to his room

Her eyes flattered open, tears of joy and sadness fell off, the amount of love this man has been showing her since her childhood is way unspeakable, she smiled enjoying every bit of his love and affection. Moments later sleep took over her.

----

Greetings were exchanged as the warm start of the day as they gathered at the dinning table ready for the morning meal before everyone parted ways to their usual destinations
the breakfast went on quietly, respectfully in Islamic way as prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) taught. Some pretending, some doing it for Aasif's while some doing it genuinely, their calmness and silence had a wide unseen picture behind it.
That was life in the Khan mansion hypocrisy, secret unreasonable hate and pretense whether it's love or happiness

While In the Mirza home nothing was ever fake if it's love it's true which was rare to find and if it's hate it's well presented "Stay safe waleedah!" Muttered Waqas placing a kiss on her forehead "You too son!" she responded with a warm smile she always showed her son

A voice came across the room like a yelled out request "Bhai can you drop us to college please!" Begged Khayra "No!..." He muttered curtly
"Ooh come on brother.. please.. Maa tell him please!" Added Khayra
"What's wrong with your driver?" He questioned giving her a serious stare
she pouted turning her gaze towards her mother who was supposed to help her out yet she didn't "Nothing happened to him.... We just want to take your drive is that wrong?"
"I'm in a hurry - and by the way I don't want people to think I'm a college students' chauffeur!"

"Brother please!" Khayra begged childishly, while as for Kaynaat she was just busy on her own, fixing her bag too nonchalant to beg and too cold to support
"So dramatic.... Fine let's go!" muttered Waqas willingly displeased
"Yay!.. thanks Bhai!" She jumped joyously and mostly excited,
Khayra doing that reminded him of someone - someone he can't call by name, someone he just saw once but can't seem to forget... someone his heart desires to see again but mind is strictly denying it, he smirked

"Delay and I leave you!" With that he stormed out, no additional word or warning just his seriousness

With Salman parking the car just outside the house ready to drive his boss to the office
"Assalamualaikum Salman Bhai!" Khayra greeted her charm filling the air as usual
"Assalamualaikum!" Kaynaat came, coldly as usual
"Waaleykumussalaam!"
"Drive to their school!" He muttered, something less than a command but a bit like an order, Salman drove away.
________

Zahra walked towards Naysal as soon as she got off the car and her driver drove away "And here comes my princess!" Naysal offered her a warm hug
she pulled closer "How are you Ishq?... Missing me already?" She smiled playfully after pulling away
"Of course love.. I missed you!" smiled Naysal blissfully
"Class hours are approaching... okay let's go!" She held Naysal's hand ready for a fast walk
"Ooh please Zahra .... A minute late won't kill us.." said Naysal lazily her expression saying bad she didn't want to attend sessions
"And a minute earlier won't either!" She snapped playfully honest increasing her walking speed

"Zaza please yaar!" she begged like it her life depends on it
"Zaza please yaar" she Mimicked her with that mockery expression on her face

Naysal's gaze travelled around before they landed on a familiar figure
"Hey isn't that your cousin?" Pointing at Alhaa Zahra's eyes followed Naysal's pointing hand before they fell on Alhaa, her hijab crazy tied showing a part of her hair, and her neck too
"This girl.... She never learns how to put in her hijab huh?" She muttered in frustration lightly biting her teeth
"You teach her... aren't you her elder?" her friend advised

"Uuh... the risky but for Allah I will do it!" Zahra sighed taking a long breath before she stood up heading towards Alhaa and Naysal followed suit
"Hellow Alhaa!.." muttered Zahra with a forced smile
Alhaa rolled her eyes as if her presence frustrated her, as she closed her make-up kit
"Wow... you look beautiful..." muttered Zahra sarcastically
"without the makeup" her hand reached for Alhaa's hijab "you got to fix this!" she added fixing Alhaa's hijab, covering the neck and hair as it is supposed to then added a pin that she took from her own purse 'Now you look prettier..." she smiled clapping her hands like she deserves a award

"How.... Dare you!......."
before she was even done Zahra cut her through "Well Aasif and maamon don't know that you wear your hijab like this at university huh?... I hope you don't want them to know!" She smiled sarcastically

Alhaa's fist clenched tightening the grip on her dress as her Jaws tightened, she crossed the small distance between her and Zahra "You will pay for this when we get home" she whispered

"till we get home... choti!" her lips curved into a little smirk hiding her fear behind it knowing for sure that Alhaa meant what she said
"And until then... don't shame my Mamoon" she paused "let's go ishq" turned and left with Naysal
-
Under the busy and somehow noisy roof in the name of classroom Zahra sat at her silent corner beside her bestie who is the only one who sees the other talkative and mischievous side of hers

"is it an operation research session now?" she asked reaching for a notebook from her bag Naysal groaned in responses and that
Zahra groaned in frustration over the response like she didn't really know the schedule, the frustration stayed valid and well drawan over her face like it was her usual attire
"That man again?" she mouthed angrily rolling her eyes

Naysal almost chuckled before she reminded herself that her friend was truly angry about it
"Like.. whenever he comes in class.. Zahra did you write this... Zahra you understood this.... Zahra this... Zahra that... ugh!"
Naysal looked away hiding her smile lines that almost exposed her
"He cares... he want you to understand well babes!" She teased
"Well it's not like I'm the only student in this class am I?" She rolled her eyes before the finally landed on the door that was slightly pushed open

a man in his late twenties walked in, handsome looking, neatly and professional dressed, his gaze cold and mostly threatening, as they would induce fear in any soul he would stare into

He greeted, his eyes scanning the classroom until they landed on her, at the left corner of the classroom, gaze lowered, she didn't have to look up to realize those pair of eyes on her
"Morning sir!" the classroom replied, with some whispers over where his eyes felt onto
"Today we'll start a new topic... Transportation!" His eyes on his laptop by the table
"So......!" The lecture began under his teaching

Facing the struggle of either keeping the lecture going, his gaze on her till his soul memorizes hers, despite the presence of other students that still didn't stop him from stealing some glances of his most favorite view

while for Zahra she could write a never ending book of how she really hate this behavior of his, it frustrated and fascinated her more than how she could express, the whole class knows that this man wants her so bad,
he never said it out loud but for God's sake why would he keep showing it to the world

like he was marking her for other boys to keep their distance from her and that was the claiming she never liked not even a bit and if it was a normal love like other people's then why didn't it feel safe for her or maybe it's because she hates it when a man's eyes are on her